Travelling in a foreign land that shares little similarities with your own home country can be a little daunting; here is how to avoid some common travel mistakes while in China.
There are a wide range of reasons why more and more people are flocking to visit China every single year. On the most recent survey, it is estimated that nearly 30 million travellers step foot on China soil every year.
And whether you are embarking on China tours for 2016 for business or for pleasure, if you follow our advice you will be able to spend a little more time finding yourself and having a great time instead of suffering through a travel nightmare.
To ensure that you have the best China tour experience in 2016 and beyond, we humbly suggest you follow these guidelines for a safe and enjoyable experience.
1. Get your immunizations
When it comes to immunizations it is best not to mess around. The vaccines that one requires to visit China include the following;
1. Influenza
2. Tdap
3. MMR
4. Pneumonia
5. Chickenpox
6. Hepatitis A
7. Hepatitis B
8. Typhoid
9. Polio
10. Japanese Encephalitis
11. Rabies
In addition to these, I would throw in tetanus, just because you never know. I have personally skipped Japanese Encephalatis, but for the sake of safety, I do not necessarily recommend you do especially if you have a family in tow.
2. Learn common phrases
China has been doing well to educate their younger generations to speak English fluently, however knowing a kernel of the language will not hurt a bit.
Common phrases to help you learn where to find a toilet, what the WiFi password is, or being able to communicate any known allergies you may have could drastically improve the quality of your visit.
In more rural areas, learning common phrases is a must; many travellers prefer to visit the more rural areas to tailor for themselves an authentic experience.
3. Do not overbook your trip
Trying to cram everything, every sight, every monument, and every attraction into one China tour will likely leave you exhausted and cranky. In order to have the most authentic Chinese tour experience, consider sticking to a specific geography unless of course you have more than a couple weeks (most people do not).
The idea is to focus on quality over quantity, and experience over selfie photo-op. Oh, and leave that selfie stick at home. Trade the selfie stick for a human co-traveller; you will be glad you did, and it is easy to make friends on your journey!
4. Pick the right season
China as something for everyone, all year around. If you love to travel during the summer, there are destinations for that. If you prefer winter sports and snow covered hilltops, China has got you covered.
The seasons in China generally run congruent to those of North America; June through to August is hot, and in the winter, much of the country is cold. Do a little research though; the south typically gets rain whereas the north gets snow.
5. Don’t pack for eventualities
If you think you might need to pack that one thing “just in case”, don’t bother. Packing for eventualities will only increase your load and decrease your fun!
Suitcases on wheels also tend to be cumbersome, as you never know how crowded a street will be. A good backpack will work wonders, so pack light and stick to staple items and don’t forget to leave room for souvenirs!
